Mercy for Self, Nancy Alcorn

http://www.amazon.com/Cut-Mercy-Self-Nancy-Alcorn/dp/1579218970

Founded in 1983 by Nancy Alcorn, Mercy Ministries exists to provide opportunities for young women to experience Gods unconditional love, forgiveness, and life-transforming power. This ministry provides hope and healing to generations of desperate young women who are seeking freedom from life-controlling problems such as drug & alcohol addiction, depression, eating disorders, unplanned pregnancy, physical & sexual abuse, and self-harm.

Myths and facts about cutting and self-harm

Because cutting and other means of self-harm tend to be taboo subjects, the people around you—and possibly even you—may harbor serious misconceptions about your motivations and state of mind. Don’t let these myths get in the way of getting help or helping someone you care about.

Myth: People who cut and self-injure are trying to get attention.
Fact: The painful truth is that people who self-harm generally do so in secret. They aren’t trying to manipulate others or draw attention to themselves. In fact, shame and fear can make it very difficult to come forward and ask for help.

Myth: People who self-injure are crazy and/or dangerous.
Fact: It is true that many people who self-harm suffer from anxiety, depression, or a previous trauma—just like millions of others in the general population. Self-injury is how they cope. Slapping them with a “crazy” or “dangerous” label isn’t accurate or helpful.

Myth: People who self-injure want to die.
Fact: Self-injurers usually do not want to die. When they self-harm, they are not trying to kill themselves—they are trying to cope with their pain. In fact, self-injury may be a way of helping themselves go on living. However, in the long-term, people who self-injure have a much higher risk of suicide, which is why it’s so important to seek help.

Myth: If the wounds aren’t bad, it’s not that serious.
Fact: The severity of a person’s wounds has very little to do with how much he or she may be suffering. Don’t assume that because the wounds or injuries are minor, there’s nothing to worry about.

Warning signs that a family member or friend is cutting or self-injuring
Because clothing can hide physical injuries, and inner turmoil can be covered up by a seemingly calm disposition, self-injury can be hard to detect. However, there are red flags you can look for (but remember—you don’t have to be sure that you know what’s going on in order to reach out to someone you’re worried about):

Unexplained wounds or scars from cuts, bruises, or burns, usually on the wrists, arms, thighs, or chest.
Blood stains on clothing, towels, or bedding; blood-soaked tissues.
Sharp objects or cutting instruments, such as razors, knives, needles, glass shards, or bottle caps, in the person’s belongings.
Frequent “accidents.” Someone who self-harms may claim to be clumsy or have many mishaps, in order to explain away injuries.
Covering up, A person who self-injures may insist on wearing long sleeves or long pants, even in hot weather.
Needing to be alone for long periods of time, especially in the bedroom or bathroom.
Isolation and irritability.

Substitutes for the cutting sensation
Use a red felt tip pen to mark where you might usually cut
Rub ice across your skin where you might usually cut
Put rubber bands on wrists, arms, or legs and snap them instead of cutting or hitting
Source: The Mental Health Foundation, UK

For more information visit:

http://www.mercyministries.org

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For more information visit:

http://www.mercyministries.org

Need help for self-harm?
If you’re not sure where to turn, call the S.A.F.E.
Alternatives information line at (800) 366-8288 for referrals and support for cutting and self-harm.

In the middle of a crisis?
If you’re feeling suicidal and need help right now,
call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

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A Celebration of Women has no affiliation with Mercy Ministries or anyone else represented on this site.
We offer information only, not for profit, as a courtesy to the Women of our World.